Sky Lantern at Glasto
With another Glastonbury approaching there is one specific product that comes to mind, sky lanterns. They have, in recent years, become an integral part of any Glasto-goers experience. In an interview in 2008 the headliner’s, Kings of Leon, cited the release of sky lanterns from the Stone Circle as their enduring memory of the festival. If you do not directly release one from the tranquil Stone Circle you are likely to witness their otherworldly presence as they drift up and across the open Somerset countryside. It is no coincidence that the use of the lanterns, with their connotations of peacefullness and hope, have become intrinsically connected with the Stone Circle. This field is where festival goers seek respite in the depths of the night, sitting and chatting together around fires in the liberating spirit that remains at the heart of the festival. As is traditional with sky lanterns, a wish is made with each one released. It is a close to numinous experience to watch from the hillside of the Circle as the wishes rise across the packed festival, oblivious to the frantic crowds beneath them, up in to the sky and out of view. Watching the sky lanterns take this journey in to the clouds is a pure moment to contemplate and escape. It is one of the reasons that in spite of its ever sprawling size, Glastonbury remains unique.
